How to Avoid Common Tourist Traps and Scams in Vietnam 2025

Avoiding common tourist traps and scams in Vietnam not only helps you save money but also gives you a safe and comfortable travel experience. Vietnam has become an attractive tourist destination for international visitors. However, besides the beautiful natural scenery, rich culture, and friendly people, tourists still need to be careful of common scams. Below is useful information: Vietnam Motorbike Tours Club helps you identify and avoid tourist traps when visiting this beautiful country.  

Common tourist traps and scams in Vietnam 

When traveling to Vietnam, tourists will be surprised by the wild, majestic nature, friendly people, and cheap travel costs. However, if not careful, tourists may encounter many tourist scams. These tricks are often applied at famous tourist destinations, where tourists frequently visit. Knowing these tricks will help protect your property and improve your travel experience. 

Taxi “rip off” 

Overcharging by taxis is one of the issues that makes many tourists feel uncomfortable when traveling in Vietnam. This situation occurs mainly in crowded tourist areas, where taxi drivers take advantage of tourists’ confusion to charge higher fees.

Drivers often use tricks such as unusual fare increases, which means they can ask you to pay a significantly higher price than the average. Sometimes, they also deliberately interfere with the meter, making you pay more than the actual price. Furthermore, many drivers may choose a roundabout route, taking you around in circles to increase the distance and the fare.

To avoid being overcharged when using a taxi, you should find the average fare for specific routes in advance. Using a ride-hailing app like Grab is a smart choice, as it allows you to know the price before booking and track the journey.

Money exchange scam 

Currency exchange is also one of the areas that poses many risks for tourists. Many people coming to Vietnam are unfamiliar with the exchange rate, which makes them targets for scammers.

One common trick is exchanging money at low rates at unreliable locations. You can see currency exchange booths appearing in crowded places, but their real value is often much lower than that of banks or official currency exchange booths. In addition, some scammers can give you fake money, causing you to lose money after a transaction.

In addition, be careful when receiving small changes. Some people may give you a slight change in a smaller denomination than what you gave, causing confusion and causing you to lose money. To ensure safety, you should exchange money at reputable banks or currency exchange booths and always check the money before leaving the counter.

Restaurants “rip off” tourists 

Taxis and some restaurants near famous tourist attractions can also “rip off” tourists in many sophisticated ways. These restaurants often have unclear menus, need to clearly state the price of each dish, or present the prices in an ambiguous manner, making it difficult to control costs.

In addition, some restaurants arbitrarily increase the price of dishes compared to the price listed on the menu or add unclear additional fees such as service or space usage fees. This not only costs you money but sometimes also affects your culinary experience.

To avoid being “ripped off,” ask the price before ordering, check the menu carefully, and, if possible, consult with other tourists who have experienced that restaurant.

Shopping traps and counterfeit goods 

Vietnam is famous for its unique handicrafts and specialties. However, this also makes it easy for tourists to fall into traps when shopping. In tourist markets, counterfeit goods are rampant. These products are often of poor quality but are sold at high prices, making many tourists regret their purchases.

Not stopping there, some shops in tourist areas also increase the prices of items compared to the actual prices outside. Some sellers may intentionally force prices on those unfamiliar with the market. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the prices before shopping to avoid being cheated.

If you want to buy handicrafts, look for reputable manufacturers or shops that have been well-reviewed by previous tourists.

Fake tours and unprofessional guides 

Tours are one effective way to explore the beauty of Vietnam. However, not all tours are of good quality, and many tourists have accidentally joined poor-quality tours. Some travel agencies offer tours at cheap prices but do not provide the services promised.

In addition, unprofessional tour guides are also a big problem. They may need more experience, local knowledge, and culture, making your trip boring and meaningless. Some tours may also force you to shop at commercial establishments, which wastes time and makes you feel pressured.

To avoid this situation, consult reputable travel agencies, read reviews from other travelers, and choose a tour that suits your needs.

Scams at popular tourist destinations 

Popular tourist destinations in Vietnam are often crowded with tourists and fertile ground for scams. You may encounter situations like being ripped off at tourist attractions, where some locals take advantage of tourists’ confusion to ask for money for unclear reasons.

Motorbike taxi services at tourist attractions are also often unreasonably overcharged. Some people may even use your desire to take photos at beautiful locations to ask for money or demand high prices.

To avoid being scammed at tourist attractions, always be cautious and mentally prepared before approaching strangers. Always determine the price before using a service or participating in an activity to avoid being surprised.

See more: 23 Must-Go Destinations For North Vietnam Off the Beaten Track Tours

Useful tips to avoid scams when traveling to Vietnam 

To have a safe and enjoyable trip, knowing the scam traps is not enough. You also need to equip yourself with useful tips to avoid unwanted risks. 

Research before you go 

Before you travel to Vietnam, you should research your destination thoroughly. Learn about the culture, customs, famous tourist attractions, and safety information. This will not only help you better understand the country you are visiting but also help you be proactive in planning your trip. Knowing in advance about means of transportation, general prices for services, and reliable places will help you avoid many awkward situations. 

Use technology applications 

In the era of technology 4.0, using applications on smartphones is essential for tourists. Ride-hailing applications such as Grab will help you move more proactively without worrying about being ripped off. In addition, you should also download map applications such as Google Maps to find your way and track your location quickly. If you need support, you can use a translation application to communicate with local people; this will minimize misunderstandings and help you get help when needed. 

Ask for price before using service 

Asking the price before deciding to use any service is one of the important tips that tourists should remember. When using a taxi or motorbike taxi, ask clearly about the fare before getting in the car to avoid being ripped off later.

Similarly, when going to restaurants, you should ask for the price of each dish and additional fees to avoid being charged unreasonably. This not only helps you manage costs but also creates comfort when enjoying local cuisine.

Always keep cash and valuables safe 

When traveling, you should be careful about managing cash and personal belongings. Divide your cash into small amounts to prevent theft. Do not keep large amounts of money in one place, which will cause trouble if you are unfortunate enough to lose or be robbed. At the same time, valuables such as phones, wallets, and passports should always be kept safe. Try not to expose valuables, and when using credit cards, pay attention to your surroundings to avoid having your card information seen. 

See more: Money in Vietnam: Exchange Rates, How to Distinguish Correctly

Learn some basic Vietnamese communication sentences 

Although English is becoming increasingly popular, not everyone knows It, especially in rural areas. Learning some basic Vietnamese conversational phrases will help you easily communicate with local people and understand and feel the local culture more deeply.

Communicating in Vietnamese helps you avoid misunderstandings and shows respect for Vietnamese culture and people. This brings you exciting experiences and enables you to connect better with the people around you.

Vietnam is a beautiful and colorful country with a rich culture and wonderful landscapes. However, it is important that you prepare carefully to avoid potential risks. Avoiding common tourist traps and scams in Vietnam not only helps you protect your assets but also helps you have memorable travel experiences.

With the tips and information that Vietnam Motorbike Tours provides, you will have a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling trip while exploring the beauty of Vietnam.